Zein solution



atented Jan. 21, 1941 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE zsm SOLUTION Oswald C. H. Sturken, Closter, N. J., assignor to Corn Products Refining Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Application July 14, 1939,

Serial No. 284,497

4 Claims. (Cl. 154-49) m laminating operations, will make the paper less lilrely to stick to the pressure plates oi the lamihating machine.

it iurther object is to provide a zein solution w containing an eflective plasticizer, for giving the rein illrn flexibility, which will consist of a relatively cheap material.

The rein solution of the present invention is composed essentially oi rein, a low boiling point yaw rein solvent, such, ior' example, as 95% ethyl alcohol, and a blown castor oil as a plasticiaing substance. Preferably an aromatic hydrocarbon oi the benzene series, such as benrol, toluol, or irylol, which is a solvent or blown castor oil, is incorporated into the solutionior the purpose cl increasing the compatibility of the blown castor oil with the coin solution. Any blown castor oil solvent having a low boiling point and compatible with the other ingredients may be employed. Where water resistance is required, the compound also contains lormaldehyde.

The rein solvent consists, preferably, of ethyl alcohol oi 95% concentration. Equivalents are m isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol. in tact any low boiling point rein solvent compatible with blown castor oil, benzol and formaldehyde may be employed, 1

iJastor oil when blown in the usual manner by dd passing a current or air through it is oxidized and its density increased with decrease oi solubility in alcohol but no decrease in solubility in mineral oils or aromatic hydrocarbons oi the benzene type. "these characteristics malre the blown cas tor oil, which is a relatively cheap material, suit able as a plasticizer lor' zein compounds, particu-- larly when used with benzol orits equivalent as a solvent,

suitable for use in making laminated paper arholes The proportions are by weight.

The iollowing exemplifies the application oi the invention to the production oil a zein solution Example 1 Parts Zein 100 95% ethyl alcohol 275 (from 200 to 300 parts) Benzol (from 10 to 135 parts) Blown castor oil 10 (from 5 to parts) Formaldehyde 5 (from 2 to 15 parts) The following is an example of the use of this compound in laminating operations:

. Example .2 The paper sheets are dipped in the solution, made in accordance with Example 1, for 2 secends, the impregnated sheets dried at 60-75 C.

(MW-l6? F), and the dried sheets superposed M and subjected to pressures between 1200 and 2000 pounds per square inch at temperatures between 110 160 U. (this-320 F.) for from 2 to 15 minutes.

The presence oi the blown castor oil prevents the sticking oi the laminated paper to the pres-=- sure plates. The blown castor oil and benzo'l increases the penetration oi the zein solution into the paper sheets so that when superposed and subjected to heat and pressure, the sheets lose their identity and the finished article consists of a homogeneous mass, to a large extent, instead oi consisting oi alternate layers of rein and paper. The result is the increase or strength and increase of water resistance of the product.

ll claim:

1. Process of making laminated paper articles which comprises dipping paper sheets in a rein solution containing blown castor oil and drying the sheets and subjecting the sheets, superposed,

to heat and pressure.

2. Process of making laminated paper articles which comprises dipping paper sheets in a coin solution containing blown castor oil, and an arc rnatic hydrocarbon oi the benzene series; drying the sheets; and subjecting the sheets, superposed, to heat and pressure 3. Process oi making laminated paper articles which comprises dipping paper sheets in a zein solution containing blown castor oil, an aromatic 4C5 hydrocarbon of the benzene series and formaldehyde; drying the sheets; and subjecting the sheets, superposed, to heat and pressure.

a. Laminated paper article consisting oi paper sheets impregnated with the reaction product of 5a formaldehyde and rein, containing blown castor oil and benzol. 

